Modular liquid natural gas (lng) manifold and systems for seafaring vessels

ABSTRACT

Modular, liquid natural gas (LNG) manifold apparatuses, crossover systems for such modular manifold apparatuses, and systems including one or more of the modular manifold apparatuses and a plurality of ISO tank containers. The modular manifold apparatus includes an ISO container (e.g., an open-frame ISO container) with a plurality of container connection sections or bays, a liquid system, and a vent system, where each of the liquid and vent systems includes a header and a plurality of connection lines configured to be coupled to the respective liquid and vent connections of LNG containers adjacent the modular manifold apparatus.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to intermodal transportation ofliquids, and, more particularly but not by way of limitation, ISOcontainer systems for intermodal transportation of liquids.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,876 (the '876 patent) discloses a “system and methodfor containerized transport of liquids by marine vessel.” The '876patent explains in its Background of the Invention section that:

-   -   A traditional role for LNG is the transportation of large        volumes of natural gas over long distance ocean routes. The        natural gas is liquefied to a cryogenic liquid at a location        near the gas source, often in remote areas. The LNG is then        loaded in large, specialized tankers for the ocean transit to        the destination or regasification facility. At the destination        facility, the LNG is unloaded from the tanker to tanks on shore.        From the shore based tank storage, the LNG is then increased in        pressure to the required downstream pressure and re-gasified and        consumed at or near the destination facility or distributed to        the end user by conventional pipeline. Although an efficient        transportation system and method to deliver natural gas from        remote sources of supply, this system does not provide for the        efficient distribution of LNG as an energy dense liquid fuel to        the transportation and power generation industries.        To address these issues, the '876 patent discloses ways to        “enable existing LNG terminals— liquefaction, regasification or        other—in various locations throughout the world, to connect        commercially to the extensive intermodal transportation systems        throughout the world to implement safe and reliable LNG fuel        supply distribution networks” using intermodal LNG tanks.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes apparatuses, systems, methods thatfurther enable and enhance the intermodal transportation of liquidnatural gas (LNG). For example, a traditional liquefied natural gas(“LNG”) vessel can serve as a floating storage unit (“FSU’) or floatingstorage and regasification unit (“FSRU”), on which LNG is stored in bulkreservoirs. These vessels may be moored to offshore sea islands, berthsnear shore, or in an established anchorage, for example, near a marketaccess point where the LNG cargo can be monetized, with limitedinterruption, by using smaller liquefied natural gas carriers (“LNGC”)to shuttle cargo from the FSU or FSRU to ports where the existing portinfrastructure is not designed to handle full-scale LNG carriers, theport is too shallow, or the location is too remote from establishedmaritime activities.

Another way the FSU/FSRU vessels can facilitate distribution is by‘breaking bulk’ or transferring the bulk LNG from the FSU/FSRU tosmaller parcels of LNG that can be distributed to various distributorsand consumers who do not have access to the floating terminal and bulkinfrastructure. By way of example, ISO tank containers—e.g., 40-foot ISOtank containers, can be carried on the deck of smaller vessels—e.g., anoffshore service vessel (“OSV”) or barge—and filled with LNG from anFSU/FSRU. The use of standardized ISO tank containers facilitates thesecurement of the ISO tank containers on the deck of the OSV or bargevia known connector systems, such as cell guides and/or twist-lockssimilar to those employed on container vessels for other purposes.

The LNG ISO tank containers can be “batch-filled” while on board an OSVvessel through ship-to-ship transfer of LNG cargo from the FSU/FSRU tothe OSV vessel through an LNG transloading system. The OSV vessel canthen transport the loaded ISO tank containers from the FSU/FSRU site toa berth in a nearby port, lifted off the vessel, and discharged to shorefor transport by trailer-truck chassis or rail car to downstreamconsumers.

The present modular manifold apparatuses facilitate the retrofittingand/or assembly of marine vessels to function as OSV vessels forfilling, and shallow-water delivery, of ISO tank containers. Forexample, the present modular manifold apparatuses can be configured toinclude all piping and connections necessary to connect primary LNG,vent, drain, and/or pneumatic lines of the vessel to a plurality of ISOtank containers (e.g., 5 or 10 ISO tank containers). As such, thepresent modular manifold apparatuses can be built on-shore, such as in afactory setting, and then delivered to a vessel, rapidly secured viacell guides or twist-locks, and rapidly connected to the vessels LNG,vent, drain, and/or pneumatic lines of the vessel. Additionally, thepresent modular manifold apparatuses can include sensor and controllines for connected ISO tank containers, and can include a control panelthat is configured to function as a “slave” to a “master” controller ofa vessel, such that the modular manifold apparatus can relatively simplybe connected to a power connection on board the vessel and acommunication line to the “master” controller of the vessel. In thisway, the present modular manifold apparatuses greatly simplify theretrofitting or assembly of marine vessels to serve as OSV vessels, bygreatly reducing the need to install on the vessel the container-levelpiping and valves to control distribution of LNG to the ISO tankcontainers.

The present modular manifold apparatuses also facilitate repair andmaintenance of such an OSV vessel by facilitating the rapid removal andreplacement of each modular manifold apparatus. For example, if one ofthe modular manifold apparatuses develops a leak or valve failure thatrequires repair, rather than a lengthy repair on board the vessel thatwould otherwise reduce the LNG capacity of the vessel (by preventing useof certain ISO tank containers with the affected modular manifoldapparatus) or take the vessel out of service for repair, the affectedmodular manifold apparatus can simply be removed and replaced with asimilar modular manifold apparatus. The affected modular manifoldapparatus can then be repaired on shore with the operation of the OSVvessel de-coupled from the duration or complexity of repairs requiredfor the removed modular manifold apparatus, increasing uptime of the OSVvessel.

Some embodiments of the present modular, liquid natural gas (LNG)manifold apparatuses comprise: an ISO container having a bottom, a top,first and second ends each having a common width, and first and secondsides each having a common length that is greater than the width andthat is a nominal multiple of 8 feet such that the length includes aplurality of sections each having a nominal section length of 8 feet; aliquid header supported by the ISO container, the liquid headerincluding a first liquid trunk line with a liquid trunk connection and aplurality of first liquid branch lines, each first liquid branch lineincluding a liquid branch connection and a liquid valve configured toselectively permit or prevent fluid communication between the liquidbranch connection and the liquid trunk line, the liquid trunk connectionconfigured to be coupled to an external LNG source to deliver LNG to theliquid branch lines; and a safety vent header supported by the ISOcontainer, the safety vent header including a vent trunk line with avent trunk connection and a plurality of first vent branch lines influid communication with the vent trunk line, each first vent branchline including a vent branch connection and a vent valve configured toselectively permit or prevent fluid communication between the ventbranch connection and the vent trunk line, the vent trunk connectionconfigured to be coupled to an external vent line to deliver vapor fromthe vent branch lines to the external vent line; where, for each nominal8 feet of the length, the first side is configured to permit access tothe liquid branch connection of one of the first liquid lines and thevent branch connection of one of the first vent lines. In some suchembodiments, for each sequential nominal 8 feet of the length, thesecond side is configured to permit access to the liquid branchconnection of one of first liquid lines and the vent branch connectionof one of the first vent lines. In other such embodiments, the liquidheader further includes a second liquid trunk line and a plurality ofsecond liquid branch lines, each second liquid branch line including aliquid branch connection and a liquid valve configured to selectivelypermit or prevent fluid communication between the liquid branchconnection and the liquid trunk line; the safety vent header furtherincludes a plurality of second vent branch lines, each second ventbranch line including a vent branch connection and a liquid valveconfigured to selectively permit or prevent fluid communication betweenthe vent branch connection and the liquid trunk line; and for eachnominal 8 feet of the length, the second side is configured to permitaccess to the liquid branch connection of one of the second liquid linesand the vent branch connection of one of the second vent lines.

In some embodiments, the present apparatuses further comprise acrossover system that comprises: a first crossover line having a firstend in fluid communication with the vent header and a second end influid communication with the drain header; a second crossover linehaving a first end in fluid communication with the liquid header and asecond end in fluid communication with the first crossover line at afirst point between the first and second ends of the first crossoverline; a first crossover valve disposed between the vent header and thefirst point, the first crossover valve configured to permit or preventflow through the crossover line between the vent header and the firstpoint; and a second crossover valve disposed between the first point andthe drain header, the second crossover valve configured to permit orprevent flow through the crossover line between the first point and thedrain header; where the crossover system is configured to permit both ofthe first and second crossover valves to be opened to circulate fluidsimultaneously through the liquid header and the vent header.

Some of the present systems comprise one (or more) of the presentmodular, LNG manifold apparatuses; and a plurality of first ISO tankcontainers configured to store liquid natural gas (LNG), each first ISOtank container having a bottom, a top, first and second ends each havinga common width that is a nominal 8 feet, each first ISO tank containercomprising a liquid connection and a safety vent connection, where thefirst end is configured to permit access to the liquid connection andthe vent connection of the first ISO tank container; where the first ISOtank containers are arranged side to side with each of their first endsfacing the first side of the modular, LNG manifold apparatus; and where,for each of the first ISO tank container, the liquid connection iscoupled in fluid communication to a respective one of the first liquidbranch connections, and the vent connection is coupled in fluidcommunication to a respective one of the first vent connections.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarilydirectly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled”may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined asone or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. Theterm “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily whollywhat is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includesparallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Inany embodiment of the present apparatuses, kits, and methods, the term“substantially” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of” whatis specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, and/or 10percent.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, anapparatus or kit that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” oneor more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is notlimited to possessing only those elements. Likewise, a method that“comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more steps possessesthose one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing only those oneor more steps.

Further, an apparatus, device or system that is configured in a certainway is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured inother ways than those specifically described.

Any embodiment of any of the present apparatuses and methods can consistof or consist essentially of—rather thancomprise/include/contain/have—any of the described steps, elements,and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or“consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-endedlinking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a givenclaim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb.

Details associated with the embodiments described above and others arepresented below.

Some details associated with the aspects of the present disclosure aredescribed above, and others are described below. Other implementations,advantages, and features of the present disclosure will become apparentafter review of the entire application, including the Brief Descriptionof the Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation.For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structureis not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears.Identical labels or reference numbers do not necessarily indicate anidentical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used toindicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, asmay non-identical reference numbers. Dimensioned figures are drawn toscale (unless otherwise noted), meaning the sizes of the depictedelements are accurate relative to each other for at least the embodimentdepicted in the figures.

FIG. 1A depicts an upper left perspective view of an embodiment of thepresent modular LNG manifold apparatuses.

FIG. 1B depicts an upper left perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.1A with a floor deck omitted to reveal additional features.

FIG. 1C depicts an upper left perspective view of certain piping systemsof the apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D depicts a lower left perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.1A.

FIG. 1E depicts a lower left perspective view of certain piping systemsof the apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1F depicts a left end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1G depicts a right end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1H depicts a first side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1I depicts a second side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A depicts a cutaway first side view of a tank connection bay ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B depicts cutaway first side view of certain piping systems of theconnection bay of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C depicts an upper right perspective view of the connection bay ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D depicts an upper left perspective view of the connection bay ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E depicts an upper right perspective view of the piping systems ofFIG. 2B.

FIG. 2F depicts an upper left perspective view of a portion of thepiping systems of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2G depicts a cutaway, lower right perspective view of the rear ofthe connection bay of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2H depicts a cutaway, lower left perspective view of the rear ofthe connection bay of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2I depicts a cutaway, lower right perspective view of the rear ofthe piping systems of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2J depicts a cutaway, lower left perspective view of the pipingsystems of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A is an upper left perspective view of a portion of the apparatusof FIG. 1A showing a crossover system of the apparatus.

FIG. 3B is a lower right perspective view of the rear of the crossoversystem of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is an upper left perspective view of certain piping systems ofthe apparatus, including the crossover system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3D is a lower right perspective view of the rear of the pipingsystems of FIG. 3C, omitting certain elements for illustration.

FIG. 3E is an upper left perspective view of the piping systems of FIG.3C, omitting certain additional elements for illustration.

FIG. 3F is an upper left perspective view of the piping systems of FIG.3C, omitting certain additional elements for illustration.

FIG. 3G is a lower right perspective view of the rear of the pipingsystems of FIG. 3C, omitting certain tank connection conduits forillustration.

FIG. 3H is a lower right perspective view of the rear of the pipingsystems of FIG. 3C, further omitting the valve actuators forillustration.

FIG. 4A is a starboard side view of an example of a seafaring vesselcarrying a plurality of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and a plurality of ISOtank containers.

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the seafaring vessel of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is an enlarged perspective view of the apparatuses and ISO tankcontainers on an upper deck of the seafaring vessel of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A depicts a map showing the relative positions of four sections ofa piping diagram of a single level of the apparatuses and ISO tankcontainers, and corresponding connections to a hose tower and knock-outdrum/tank of the vessel, of FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIGS. 5A-1, 5A-2, 5A-3, and 5A-4 depict respective sections of thepiping diagram of FIG. 5A, with lettered circles A-G indicatingconnections between the sections.

FIG. 5B depicts a map showing the relative positions of three sectionsof an enlarged view of an apparatuses and ISO tank containers portion ofthe diagram of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 5B-1, 5B-2, and 5B-3 depict respective sections of the enlargedview of the apparatuses and ISO tank containers portion of FIG. 5B, withlettered circles A-C and F-G indicating connections between thesections.

FIG. 5C depicts an enlarged view of the hose tower portion of thediagram of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D depicts an enlarged view of a knockout drunk/tank portion of thediagram of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E depicts an enlarged view of a single ISO tank container portionof the diagram of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1A-1I,shown there and designated by the reference numeral 10 is an embodimentof the present modular, liquid natural gas (LNG) manifold apparatuses.Apparatus 10 is configured in an ISO container format such as is usedfor intermodal shipping, such as by seafaring vessel, truck, train, andthe like. More particularly, apparatus 10 comprises an ISO container 14that includes a frame 18. In this embodiment, the ISO container is inthe form of a frame that is open on the sides and top. In otherembodiments, the ISO container can be enclosed on the top and/or one ormore of its sides. As shown, ISO container 14 has a bottom 22, a top 26,first and second ends 30, 34 each having a common width 38, and firstand second sides 42, 46 each having a common length 50 that is greaterthan the width. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart, width 46 of the ISO container is nominally 8 feet, and length 50 isa nominal multiple of 8 feet such that the length includes a pluralityof sections 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, 54 d, 54 e that each has a nominal sectionlength 58 of 8 feet. These sections can be considered tank connectionbays in that each includes liquid and vent connections, as described inmore detail below, for connecting the manifold apparatus to respectiveISO tanks to allow the tanks to be filled and/or emptied via themanifold apparatus. In some embodiments, such as the one shown, ISOcontainer 14 is configured to support at least its own weight, such thattwo of apparatus 10 can be stacked vertically one on top of the other.In some such embodiments, ISO container 14 is configured to support atleast two times its own weight, such that three of apparatus 10 can bestacked vertically one on top of the other, such as is described belowwith reference to FIGS. 4A-4C.

To allow workers to access the interior of apparatus 10, the variouscomponents are arranged to leave an open walkway along at least amajority of the length of ISO container 14. More particularly, and asshown in FIG. 1F, the components on either side of ISO container 14 arearranged such that, at each longitudinal point along a majority of thelength of the TLS, the apparatus defines an open walkway having anunobstructed width 62 of at least 24 inches (e.g., at least 27 inches)measured perpendicular to each of the length and height of the ISOcontainer, and an unobstructed height of at least 54 inches (e.g., atleast 60 inches) measured perpendicular to each of the length and widthof the ISO container. As can be seen in FIG. 1F, the walkway does notextend linearly along the length; rather, the walkway shifts left andright (e.g., in a serpentine-like fashion) as it proceeds along thelength of the ISO container, but along its length, the walkway has theminimum unobstructed width 66 of at least 24 inches (e.g., at least 27inches) at any given point along the length of the walkway.

In at least some embodiments, the apparatus is surface prepared andcoated. Suitable coating systems including marine type coating systems,for example, including at least an epoxy anti-corrosive and apolyurethane top coat. The coating system on cryogenic piping and valvesshould be suitable for cryogenic temperatures.

As shown, apparatus 10 comprises a liquid system 100. In thisembodiment, liquid system 100 comprises a first liquid header 104 asupported by the ISO container. Liquid header 104 a includes a firstliquid trunk line 108 a with a liquid trunk connection 112 a and aplurality of first liquid branch lines 116 a in fluid communication withthe first liquid trunk line. Liquid trunk connection 112 a is configuredto be coupled to an external LNG source (e.g., on a seafaring LNGvessel) to deliver LNG to the liquid branch lines (or to direct LNG fromthe liquid branch lines to an external LNG reservoir). As also shown inmore detail in FIGS. 2A-2J, each of first liquid branch lines 116 aincludes a liquid branch connection 120 a and a liquid valve 124 aconfigured to selectively permit or prevent fluid communication betweenthe respective liquid branch connection 120 a and liquid trunk line 108a.

In the embodiment shown, liquid system 100 and, specifically, liquidheader 104, further includes a second liquid trunk line 108 b with asecond liquid trunk connection 112 b and a plurality of second liquidbranch lines 116 b in fluid communication with the second liquid trunkline. As with first liquid trunk connection 112 a, second liquid trunkconnection 112 b is configured to be coupled to an external LNG source(e.g., on a seafaring LNG vessel) to deliver LNG to the liquid brandlines (or to direct LNG from the liquid branch lines to an external LNGreservoir). Similar to what is shown in detail in FIGS. 2A-2J, each ofsecond liquid branch lines 116 b includes a liquid branch connection 120b and a liquid valve 124 b configured to selectively permit or preventfluid communication between the liquid branch connection 120 b andsecond liquid trunk line 108 b, such that the connections provided foreach of sections or connection bays 54 a-54 e on second side 46 (FIG.1I) are substantially similar to those of sections or connection bays 54a-54 e on first side 42 of apparatus 10 (FIG. 1H). While not shown inFIGS. 1A-1I, in some embodiments, each liquid trunk line 108 a, 108 bincludes a liquid emergency shutdown (ESD) valve at the respectiveliquid trunk connection 112 a, 112 b, or between the respective liquidtrunk connection and the liquid branch lines 116 a, 116 b.

In embodiments configured to be used with LNG, the liquid lines areelectrically grounded and typically configured as cryogenic lines withsuitable vapor barrier and insulation and, in certain instances,additional mechanical protection surrounding the insulation. In someembodiments, the liquid lines can formed of non-corrosive materials suchas stainless steel (e.g., 316L stainless steel). Liquid lines may besized to accommodate liquid flow velocities up to seven (7) meters persecond. For example, in the depicted embodiment, liquid branch lines 116a, 116 b utilize at least Schedule 40 pipe and may have a nominaldiameter of three (3) inches. The portion of each liquid branch line 116a, 116 b adjacent the respective liquid branch connection 120 a, 120 bcan be formed of a length of flexible, cryogenic-service stainless steelbraided hose, and the respective liquid branch connections can comprisequick connectors (e.g., dry break quick connectors).

As shown, apparatus 10 also comprises a vent system 200. In thisembodiment, vent system 200 comprises a safety vent header 204 supportedby the ISO container. Safety vent header 204 includes a vent trunk line208 with a vent trunk connection 212 and a plurality of first ventbranch lines 216 a in fluid communication with the vent trunk line. Venttrunk connection 212 is configured to be coupled to an external ventline to deliver vapor from the vent branch lines to the external ventline. As also shown in more detail in FIGS. 2A-2J, each of first ventbranch lines 216 a includes a vent branch connection 220 a and a ventvalve 224 a configured to selectively permit or prevent fluidcommunication between the respective vent branch connection 220 a andvent trunk line 208.

In the embodiment shown, vent system 200 and, specifically, vent header204, further includes a plurality of second vent branch lines 216 b influid communication with vent trunk line 208. As with first vent branchlines 216 a, vent trunk line 208 is configured to deliver vapor fromsecond vent branch lines 216 b to the external vent line via ventconnection 212. Similar to what is shown in detail in FIGS. 2A-2J, eachof second vent branch line 216 b includes a liquid branch connection 220b and a liquid valve 224 b configured to selectively permit or preventfluid communication between the liquid branch connection 220 b andliquid trunk line 208, such that the connections provided for each ofsections or connection bays 54 a-54 e on second side 46 (FIG. 1I) aresubstantially similar to those of sections or connection bays 54 a-54 eon first side 42 of apparatus 10 (FIG. 1H).

In embodiments configured to be used with LNG, the vent lines areelectrically grounded and typically configured as cryogenic lines withsuitable vapor barrier and insulation and, in certain instances,additional mechanical protection surrounding the insulation. In someembodiments, the vent lines can formed of non-corrosive materials suchas stainless steel (e.g., 316L stainless steel). Vent lines may be sizedto accommodate liquid flow velocities up to thirty (30) meters persecond. For example, in the depicted embodiment, vent branch lines 216a, 216 b utilize at least Schedule 40 pipe and may have a nominaldiameter of two (2) inches. The portion of each vent branch line 216 a,216 b adjacent the respective vent branch connection 220 a, 220 b can beformed of a length of flexible, cryogenic-service stainless steelbraided hose, and the respective liquid branch connections can comprisequick connectors (e.g., dry break quick connectors).

As shown, apparatus 10 also comprises a drain system 300. In thisembodiment, drain system 300 comprises a drain header 304 supported bythe ISO container, for example, beneath a floor 308 of ISO container 14.Drain header 304 includes a drain trunk line 312 a and a drain branchline 316 a, with a first end 320 a of drain branch line 316 a being influid communication with vent trunk line 208 (FIGS. 3B-3H), and a secondend 324 a of drain branch line 316 a being in fluid communication withdrain trunk line 312 a. In the depicted configuration, drain trunk line312 a extends along a majority of the length of the ISO container andincludes a drain trunk connection 328 that is configured to be coupledto an external drain line. Drain system 300 also includes a plurality of(six) drain branch inlets 332 a extending from drain trunk line 312 a toreceive drainage from various pressure relief valves on the liquidbranch lines (116 a) and vent branch lines (216 a) via correspondingtertiary drain lines 336 a. As also shown in more detail in FIGS. 3A-3H,drain branch line 316 a includes a first drain valve 340 and a seconddrain valve 344, with both of first and second valves 340, 344 disposedbetween first and second ends 320 a, 324 a such that either or both ofvalves 340, 344 can be closed to prevent fluid communication betweendrain trunk line 312 a and vent trunk line 208. Drain system 300 alsoincludes a liquid-drain line 348 having a first end 352 in fluidcommunication with one of the plurality of liquid branch lines 116, anda second end 356 in fluid communication with drain branch line 316 a ata point 360 a between first and second drain valves 340, 344. Drainbranch line 316 a, and the corresponding liquid-drain line 348 andvalves 340, 344, comprise parts of a crossover system described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3H.

In the embodiment shown, drain system 300 and, specifically, drainheader 304, further includes a second drain trunk line 312 b in fluidcommunication with first drain trunk line 312 a such that second draintrunk line 312 b is also in fluid communication with liquid trunkconnection 312. In other embodiments, the second drain trunk line caninclude a second liquid trunk connection and not be in fluidcommunication with the first drain trunk line. Similar to first liquidtrunk line 312 a, second liquid trunk line 312 b includes a secondliquid branch line 316 b, with a first end 320 b of second drain branchline 316 b being in fluid communication with vent trunk line 208 (FIGS.3B-3H), and a second end 324 b of drain branch line 316 b being in fluidcommunication with drain trunk line 312 b. In the depictedconfiguration, second drain trunk line 312 b also extends along amajority of the length of the ISO container. Drain system 300 alsoincludes a plurality of (six) drain branch inlets 332 b extending fromdrain trunk line 312 b to receive drainage from various pressure reliefvalves on the liquid branch lines (116 b) and vent branch lines (216 b)via corresponding tertiary drain lines 336 b. Similar to what is shownin detail in FIGS. 3A-3H, second drain branch line 316 b includes afirst drain valve 340 and a second drain valve 344, with both of firstand second valves 340, 344 disposed between first and second ends 320 b,324 b such that either or both of valves 340, 344 can be closed toprevent fluid communication between second drain trunk line 312 b andvent trunk line 208. Drain system 300 also includes a secondliquid-drain line 348 having a first end 352 in fluid communication withthe adjacent liquid branch line 116 b, and a second end 356 b in fluidcommunication with second drain branch line 316 b at a point between thecorresponding first and second drain valves in second drain branch line316 b. Drain branch line 316 b, and the corresponding liquid-drain line348 and valves 340, 344, comprise parts of a second crossover systemsimilar to the one described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 3A-3H.

In the depicted embodiment, floor 308 of ISO container 14 comprises adrain pan below drain trunk lines 312 a, 312 b to catch any spills orleaks that escape or are not routed into the drain trunk lines. To helpensure that any such spills or leaks are directed to the drain pan,floor 208 comprises a metal grate through which liquid can pass into thedrain pan.

In the embodiment shown, apparatus 10 further comprises a pneumaticsystem 400 that includes a pneumatic header 404 supported by the ISOcontainer. Pneumatic header 404 includes a pneumatic trunk line 408 aand a plurality of pneumatic branch lines 412 a configured to deliverpressurized pneumatic fluid to various points throughout the apparatus10, such as, for example, for service “air” and/or for various valvesand sensors on first side 42 of ISO container 14. As one example, ISOtank containers for LNG typically include an emergency shutdown (ESD)valve coupled to the liquid connection of the tank, and such a liquidESD valve can be configured as a pneumatic valve that (a) includes aninlet that is coupled to one of the pneumatic branch lines; (b) isbiased to remain closed in the absence of pneumatic fluid at the inletbeing pressurized to a level that exceeds a threshold; and (c) isconfigured to, upon pressurization of pneumatic fluid at the inlet to alevel that exceeds the threshold, shift to an open state in which thevalve does not block fluid communication with the liquid trunk line. Asanother example, ISO tank containers for LNG typically include anemergency shutdown (ESD) valve coupled to the vent connection of thetank, and such a vent ESD valve can be configured as a pneumatic valvethat (a) includes an inlet that is coupled to one of the pneumaticbranch lines; (b) is biased to remain closed in the absence of pneumaticfluid at the inlet being pressurized to a level that exceeds athreshold; and (c) is configured to, upon pressurization of pneumaticfluid at the inlet to a level that exceeds the threshold, shift to anopen state in which the valve does not block fluid communication withthe liquid trunk line. In the depicted configuration, pneumatic trunkline 408 a extends a majority of the length of ISO container 14 andincludes a pneumatic trunk connection 416 that is configured to becoupled to an external source of pressurized pneumatic fluid fordistribution to pneumatic branch lines 412 a. Pneumatic system 400 canbe configured to utilize any of various types of inert fluids, such as,for example, air, nitrogen, or other suitable pneumatic fluid.

In the embodiment shown, pneumatic system 400 and, specifically,pneumatic header 404, further includes a second pneumatic trunk line 408b in fluid communication with first pneumatic trunk line 408 a such thatsecond pneumatic trunk line 408 b is also in fluid communication withpneumatic trunk connection 416. In other embodiments, the secondpneumatic trunk line can include a second pneumatic trunk connection andnot be in fluid communication with the first pneumatic trunk line.Similar to first pneumatic trunk line 408 a, second pneumatic trunk line408 b includes a plurality of second pneumatic branch lines 412 bconfigured to deliver pressurized pneumatic fluid to various pointsthroughout the apparatus 10, such as, for example, for service “air”and/or for various valves and sensors on second side 46 of ISO container14. In the depicted configuration, second pneumatic trunk line 408 balso extends along a majority of the length of the ISO container.

As shown, apparatus 10 also comprises a drain system 300. In thisembodiment, drain system 300 comprises a drain header 304 supported bythe ISO container, for example, beneath a floor 308 of ISO container 14.Drain header 304 includes a drain trunk line 312 a and a drain branchline 316 a, with a first end 320 a of drain branch line 316 a being influid communication with vent trunk line 208 (FIGS. 3B-3H), and a secondend 324 a of drain branch line 316 a being in fluid communication withdrain trunk line 312 a. In the depicted configuration, drain trunk line312 a extends along a majority of the length of the ISO container andincludes a drain trunk connection 328 that is configured to be coupledto an external drain line. Drain system 300 also includes a plurality of(six) drain branch inlets 332 a extending from drain trunk line 312 a toreceive drainage from various pressure relief valves on the liquidbranch lines (116 a) and vent branch lines (216 a) via correspondingtertiary drain lines 336 a. As also shown in more detail in FIGS. 3A-3H,drain branch line 316 a includes a first drain valve 340 and a seconddrain valve 344, with both of first and second valves 340, 344 disposedbetween first and second ends 320 a, 324 a such that either or both ofvalves 340, 344 can be closed to prevent fluid communication betweendrain trunk line 312 a and vent trunk line 208. Drain system 300 alsoincludes a liquid-drain line 348 having a first end 352 in fluidcommunication with one of the plurality of liquid branch lines 116, anda second end 356 in fluid communication with drain branch line 316 a ata point 360 a between first and second drain valves 340, 344. Drainbranch line 316 a, and the corresponding liquid-drain line 348 andvalves 340, 344, comprise parts of a crossover system described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3H.

In some embodiments, apparatus 10 further comprises a nitrogen systemfor “interting”—i.e., displacing any non-inert gases from, by fillingwith inert nitrogen—at least the liquid system (e.g., and the ventand/or drain systems) prior to delivering LNG to apparatus 10. Such anitrogen system can comprise a nitrogen header supported by the ISOcontainer. The nitrogen header can include one or two nitrogen header(s)each including a nitrogen trunk line with a nitrogen connection and aplurality of nitrogen branch lines. The nitrogen branch lines each has afirst end in fluid communication with the corresponding nitrogen trunkline and a second end coupled to a nitrogen valve in fluid communicationwith a liquid branch line and/or a vent branch line such that eachnitrogen valve can be opened to permit the flow of nitrogen to therespective branch line(s) or closed to prevent the flow of nitrogen tothe respective branch line(s).

In any of the present embodiments, the modular manifold apparatuses canfurther include a water spray header (e.g., of 90-10 Cu—Ni alloy) withspray nozzles spaced along the length of the ISO container (e.g., 14) toprovide flow (e.g., according to IGC standards) on the vertical face ofeach ISO tank container valve arrangement. In such embodiments, thewater spray header can include a connection on at least one end of theheader to connect to a water supply line of a marine vessel on which theapparatus is disposed.

In any of the present embodiments, the modular manifold apparatuses canfurther include a fire-suppression header header (e.g., of 316Lstainless steel) with outlet nozzles spaced along the length of thecontainer (e.g., 14) to spray dry chemical (powder) onto each ISO tankcontainer. In such embodiments, the fire-suppression header can includea connection on at least one end of the header to connect to a drypowder supply line of a marine vessel on which the apparatus isdisposed. Such a fire-suppression header enables the application of drychemical to extinguish fire without the need for personnel to bepresent.

In any of the present embodiments, the modular manifold apparatuses canfurther include:

-   -   gas detectors, for example, connected to the vessel control        system via the control panel (e.g., 70) of the apparatus;    -   fire detectors, for example, connected to the vessel control        system via the control panel (e.g., 70) of the apparatus;    -   an amber (alarm) beacon, red (ESD) beacon, blue (gas detected)        beacon, and/or an audible siren;    -   a general alarm siren (e.g., located at a midpoint of the        container (e.g., 14)) and cabled to the control panel (e.g, 70)        of the apparatus;    -   explosion resistant LED lighting spaced along the length of the        container (e.g., 14) to facilitate nighttime operations, for        example providing illumination levels of 50 lux or more;    -   a VHF booster to ensure reliable VHF radio communication for all        points; and/or    -   one or more CCTV cameras, for example, connected to the vessel        control system via the control panel (e.g., 70) of the        apparatus.

Apparatus 10 includes respective liquid and vent connections for eachsection or connection bay 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, 54 d, 54 e. Stated anotherway, and as illustrated in FIG. 1H, for each nominal 8 feet of length50, first side 42 is configured to permit access to the liquid branchconnection (120 a) of one of the first liquid lines and the vent branchconnection (220 a) of one of the first vent lines. In the embodimentshown, and as illustrated in FIG. 1 , for each nominal 8 feet of length50, second side 46 is also configured to permit access to the liquidbranch connection of one of first liquid lines and the vent branchconnection of one of the first vent lines. In other embodiments,apparatus 10 includes connections for ISO tank containers on only firstside 42 of the ISO container 14, such that second liquid branch lines116 b (and second liquid header 108 b) and second vent branch lines 216b are omitted.

FIGS. 2A-2J depict enlarged views of a single exemplary tank connectionbay (54 c), each of which, in the depicted embodiment, includes theconnections described here. In FIGS. 2A-2J, apparatus 14 is sectionedlengthwise (halfway between side 42 and side 46) to improve the claritywith which the connections on first side 42 can be seen. As shown,liquid valve 124 a is a manual valve, and each liquid branch line 116 afurther includes a second liquid valve 128 a that is disposed betweenthe corresponding first liquid valve 124 a and liquid trunk line 108 a.In this embodiment, second liquid valve 128 a is an electric valve thatis controllable via electric signals (e.g., to open or close the valve)and is configured to be throttled such that the valve can be partiallyopened or closed incrementally, as opposed to only fully open or fullyclosed. In other embodiments, the second liquid valve can be configuredto be controlled via pneumatic pressure. For example, the second liquidvalve can be configured as a pneumatic emergency shut down (ESD) valvethat is biased to remain closed in the absence of an electronic controlsignal or sufficient pneumatic pressure).

As also shown, vent valve 224 a is a manual valve, and each vent branchline 216 further includes a second vent valve 228 a that is disposedbetween the corresponding first vent valve 224 a and vent trunk line208. In this embodiment, second liquid valve 128 a is an electric valvethat is controllable via electric signals to be opened or closed. Inother embodiments, the second liquid valve can be configured to bethrottled such that the valve can be partially opened or closedincrementally, as opposed to only fully open or fully closed, and/or canbe configured to be controlled via pneumatic pressure. For example, thesecond vent valve can be configured as a pneumatic emergency shut down(ESD) valve that is biased to remain closed in the absence of anelectronic control signal or sufficient pneumatic pressure).

FIGS. 3A-3H depict one example of a crossover system 500 of apparatus 10that is disposed at the fifth tank connection bay (54 e) on first side42 of ISO container 14. As shown, crossover system 500 comprises a firstcrossover line 504, defined by first drain branch line 316 a, having afirst end 320 a in fluid communication with vent trunk line 208 and asecond end 324 a in fluid communication with drain trunk line 312 a.Crossover system 500 also comprises a second crossover line 508 having afirst end 512 in fluid communication with first liquid trunk line 108 aand a second end 516 in fluid communication with first crossover line504 at a first point 520 between the first and second ends of the firstcrossover line. As shown, second crossover line 508 is defined byliquid-drain line 348 and an upper segment 524 of the liquid branch line(116 a) of the fifth tank connection bay (54 e) on first side 46 of ISOcontainer 14. As shown, crossover system 500 further comprises a firstcrossover valve 528 disposed between vent trunk line 208 and first point520, with the first crossover valve being configured to permit orprevent flow through crossover line 504 between the vent trunk line andthe first point; and a second crossover valve 532 disposed between firstpoint 520 and drain trunk line 312 a, with the second crossover valvebeing configured to permit or prevent flow through the crossover linebetween the first point and the drain trunk line. In this embodiment,first and second crossover valves 528, 532 are electric valves that arecontrollable via electric signals to be opened or closed. In otherembodiments, the first and second crossover valves can be configured tobe controlled via pneumatic pressure. For example, the first and secondcrossover valves can be configured as a pneumatic valves that are biasedto remain closed in the absence of an electronic control signal orsufficient pneumatic pressure.

As configured, crossover system 500 is configured to permit both offirst and second crossover valves 528, 532 to be opened to circulatefluid simultaneously through the liquid trunk line and the vent trunkline. For example, during cooling of the liquid and vent systems priorto filling ISO tank containers connected to apparatus 10, firstcrossover valve 528 can be opened, and second crossover valve 532closed, such that LNG delivered to liquid trunk line 108 a will flowthrough the upper portion of the first crossover line (504), through thesecond crossover line (508), and into vent trunk line 208 to cool theliquid trunk line and the vent trunk line (e.g., and the respectiveliquid and vent branch lines). Additionally, second crossover valve 532can be opened to direct residual liquid in vent trunk line 208 (and, iffirst crossover valve 528 is also open, to also direct residual liquidin liquid trunk line 108 a) to flow to drain trunk line 316 a throughthe lower portion of drain branch line 316 a. During filling of ISO tankcontainers connected to apparatus 10, first and second crossover valves528, 532 are typically closed to prevent communication between liquidtrunk line 108 a and vent trunk line 208, and between drain trunk line312 a and both of liquid and vent trunk lines 108 a, 208, such thatsubstantially all liquid flowing into liquid trunk line 108 a throughliquid trunk connection 112 a is directed to the corresponding liquidbranch lines 116 a (e.g., and into connected ISO tank containers).

As shown, crossover system 500 further comprises a bypass line 536 withits ends in communication with first crossover line 504 (drain branchline 316 a) on either side of second crossover valve 532. As shown,bypass line 536 includes a bypass valve 540 that is normally closed butcan be opened to bypass second crossover valve 532, such as if secondcrossover valve 532 malfunctions, or if apparatus 10 is not connected toa source of power or pneumatic fluid, such that second crossover valve532 cannot be opened. In this embodiment, crossover system 500 alsocomprises a third crossover valve 548 between first point 520 and theclosest end of bypass line 536. Third crossover valve 548 is normallyopen but can be closed to prevent flow between first point 520 and draintrunk line 312 a.

Apparatus 10 also includes a second crossover system between secondliquid trunk line 108 b, vent header 208, and second drain trunk line312 b on second side 46 of ISO container, which second crossover systemis substantially similar to crossover system 500 with the exception thatthe second crossover system is disposed at the fourth tank connectionbay (54 d) of second side 46 rather than the fifth tank connection bay.Other embodiments in which liquid system 100 includes only a singleliquid trunk line, may include only a single crossover system. Otherembodiments omit a crossover system, such that the liquid and trunksystems are independently pre-cooled.

While illustrated with ductile and/or substantially rigid piping,temperature changes of the liquid and vent systems (e.g., duringpre-cooling and/or after filling ISO tank containers) can causedifferential expansion between different components of crossover system500, liquid system 100, and vent system 200. If not managed bycontrolled filling/emptying of the lines, expansion and contraction canintroduce stresses and ultimately lead to mechanical fatigue andfailure. To mitigate such stresses, other embodiments can includeflexible portions within certain lines to mechanically decouple theliquid and vent systems from each other and from the drain system. Forexample, in some embodiments, each of an upper segment 552 of firstcrossover line 504, and a lower segment 556 of drain branch line 316 a,can utilize a flexible section defined by a flexible conduit (e.g.,connected to the rest of the piping via flanged connections, slipjoints, or the like). Similarly, liquid trunk lines 108 a, 108 b andvent trunk line 208 can each include one or more flexible segmentsdefined by a flexible conduit (e.g., connected to the rest of the pipingvia flanged connections, slip joints, or the like) to reducedifferential expansion/contraction, and resulting stresses, along therelatively long lengths of these trunk lines. For example, in someembodiments, each liquid trunk line 108 a, 108 b includes three segmentsof ductile and/or substantially rigid pipe joined by two flexiblesegments of flexible pipe or conduit, and/or vent trunk line 208includes two segments of ductile and/or substantially rigid pipe joinedby one flexible segment of flexible pipe or conduit.

As shown in FIG. 1G, apparatus 10 also comprises a control panel 70 thathas at least having a power connection and a communication connectionconfigured to be connected to respective power sources and communicationlines of a seafaring vessel on which the apparatus is used. Within thecontrol panel is a controller (e.g., processor, field-programmable gatearray (FPGA), or the like) that is configured to actuate the remotelycontrollable liquid valves 128 a and remotely controllable vent valves228 a, such as in response to signals received from a control room of aseafaring vessel via the communications connection. For example, thecontroller can be configured to operate as a “slave” in a “master-slave”relationship with a “master” controller of the seafaring vessel, suchthat the controller actuates the valves in accordance with controlsignals received from the master controller of the seafaring vessel viathe communication connection.

In some embodiments, apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality ofsensor lines for each liquid branch line 116 a, 116 b, which sensorlines each has a first end coupled to the controller of the controlpanel, and a second end configured to be coupled to a sensor of a tankto which the corresponding liquid branch line is connected. In suchembodiments, the controller can be further configured to receive signalsfrom the sensors of the tank and to transmit signals indicative of thesignals via the communication connection of the control panel, forexample, to the master controller of the seafaring vessel. By way ofexample, in some configurations, each plurality of sensor linescomprises a first pair of sensor lines configured to be coupled to afirst differential pair of pressure sensors on the tank; and a secondpair of sensor lines configured to be coupled to a second differentialpair of pressure sensors on the tank. In at least some embodiments, thepresent apparatuses (e.g., 10, 10 a) do not include flow meters capableof measuring flow into individual tanks (or any flow meters at allcapable of measuring the flow of LNG into the liquid system 100).

FIGS. 4A-4C depict an example of a seafaring vessel 600 carrying aplurality of the present ISO container manifold apparatuses (e.g., 10)and a plurality of ISO tank containers 74 configured to store LNG. Aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art, each ISO tank container74 has a bottom, a top, first and second ends each having a common widththat is a nominal 8 feet. Additionally, each ISO tank container has aliquid connection and a safety vent connection, and the first end of theISO tank container is configured to permit access to the liquidconnection and the vent connection. In this configuration, the manifoldapparatuses and ISO tank containers 74 are arranged in two substantiallysimilar layers with one stacked on top of the other. Each such layerincludes a first apparatus 10 with ten (10) tank connection bays, and asecond apparatus 10 a with only five (5) tank connection bays. Eachlayer further includes a first plurality 604 a of ISO tank containers 74arranged side to side with each of their first ends facing first side 42of apparatus 10, with the liquid connection of each ISO tank containercoupled in fluid communication to a respective one of the first liquidbranch connections 120 a of apparatus 10, and the vent connection ofeach ISO tank connector coupled in fluid communication to a respectiveone of the first vent connections 220 a of apparatus 10. Each layerfurther includes a second plurality 604 b of ISO tank containers 74arranged side to side with each of their first ends facing second side46 of apparatus 10, with the liquid connection of each ISO tankcontainer coupled in fluid communication to a respective one of thefirst liquid branch connections 120 a of apparatus 10, and the ventconnection of each ISO tank connector coupled in fluid communication toa respective one of the first vent connections 220 a of apparatus 10.Each layer further includes a third plurality 604 c of ISO tankcontainers 74 arranged side to side with each of their first ends facingsecond side 46 of apparatus 10 a, with the liquid connection of each ISOtank container coupled in fluid communication to a respective one of theliquid branch connections 120 b of apparatus 10 a, and the ventconnection of each ISO tank connector coupled in fluid communication toa respective one of the first vent connections 220 b of apparatus 10.

For each apparatus 10, 10 a, the liquid trunk connection(s) (112 a, 112b) is/are connected to the LNG system of vessel 600, the vent trunkconnection (212) is connected to the vent system of vessel 600, thedrain trunk connection 328 is connected to a knockout drum or otherdrain reservoir of vessel 600, and the pneumatic trunk connection 416 isconnected to a source of pressurized pneumatic fluid aboard vessel 600.Additionally, for each apparatus 10, 10 a, the control panel is coupledvia a respective communication link to a master controller of the vesselsuch that the control panel can receive control signals from the mastercontroller to operate the apparatus (e.g., open and close remotelyactuatable valves of the apparatus).

The above specification and examples provide a complete description ofthe structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certainembodiments have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of thisinvention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the presentdevices are not intended to be limited to the particular formsdisclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternativesfalling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than theone shown may include some or all of the features of the depictedembodiment. For example, components may be combined as a unitarystructure, and/or connections may be substituted. Further, whereappropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may becombined with aspects of any of the other examples described to formfurther examples having comparable or different properties andaddressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will beunderstood that the benefits and advantages described above may relateto one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.

The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted toinclude, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such alimitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s)“means for” or “step for,” respectively.

Representative Embodiments

The following includes representative embodiments of the present modularmanifold apparatuses and systems.

Embodiment 1. A modular, liquid natural gas (LNG) manifold apparatuscomprising:

an ISO container having a bottom, a top, first and second ends eachhaving a common width, and first and second sides each having a commonlength that is greater than the width and that is a nominal multiple of8 feet such that the length includes a plurality of sections each havinga nominal section length of 8 feet;

-   -   a liquid header supported by the ISO container, the liquid        header including a first liquid trunk line with a liquid trunk        connection and a plurality of first liquid branch lines, each        first liquid branch line including a liquid branch connection        and a liquid valve configured to selectively permit or prevent        fluid communication between the liquid branch connection and the        liquid trunk line, the liquid trunk connection configured to be        coupled to an external LNG source to deliver LNG to the liquid        branch lines; and a safety vent header supported by the ISO        container, the safety vent header including a vent trunk line        with a vent trunk connection and a plurality of first vent        branch lines in fluid communication with the vent trunk line,        each first vent branch line including a vent branch connection        and a vent valve configured to selectively permit or prevent        fluid communication between the vent branch connection and the        vent trunk line, the vent trunk connection configured to be        coupled to an external vent line to deliver vapor from the vent        branch lines to the external vent line;    -   where, for each nominal 8 feet of the length, the first side is        configured to permit access to the liquid branch connection of        one of the first liquid lines and the vent branch connection of        one of the first vent lines.

Embodiment 2. The apparatus of Embodiment 1, where for each sequentialnominal 8 feet of the length, the second side is configured to permitaccess to the liquid branch connection of one of first liquid lines andthe vent branch connection of one of the first vent lines.

Embodiment 3. The apparatus of Embodiment 1, where:

the liquid header further includes a second liquid trunk line and aplurality of second liquid branch lines, each second liquid branch lineincluding a liquid branch connection and a liquid valve configured toselectively permit or prevent fluid communication between the liquidbranch connection and the liquid trunk line;

-   -   the safety vent header further includes a plurality of second        vent branch lines, each second vent branch line including a vent        branch connection and a liquid valve configured to selectively        permit or prevent fluid communication between the vent branch        connection and the liquid trunk line; and for each nominal 8        feet of the length, the second side is configured to permit        access to the liquid branch connection of one of the second        liquid lines and the vent branch connection of one of the second        vent lines.

Embodiment 4. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-3, furthercomprising:

a nitrogen header supported by the ISO container, the nitrogen headerincluding a nitrogen trunk line with a nitrogen connection and aplurality of nitrogen branch lines, where each of the nitrogen branchlines has a first end in fluid communication with the nitrogen trunkline and a second end coupled to a nitrogen valve in fluid communicationwith a liquid branch line and/or a vent branch line such that eachnitrogen valve can be opened to permit the flow of nitrogen to therespective branch line(s) or closed to prevent the flow of nitrogen tothe respective branch line(s).

Embodiment 5. The apparatus of Embodiments 1-4, where each liquid trunkline includes a liquid emergency shutdown (ESD) valve at the respectiveliquid trunk connection, or between the liquid trunk connection and theliquid branch lines.

Embodiment 6. The apparatus of Embodiment 5, further comprising:

a pneumatic header supported by the ISO container, the pneumatic headerincluding a pneumatic connection and a plurality of pneumatic branchlines.

Embodiment 7. The apparatus of Embodiment 6, where each liquid ESDvalve:

includes an inlet that is coupled to one of the pneumatic branch lines;

is biased to remain closed in the absence of pneumatic fluid at theinlet being pressurized to a level that exceeds a threshold; and

is configured to, upon pressurization of pneumatic fluid at the inlet toa level that exceeds the threshold, shift to an open state in which thevalve does not block fluid communication with the liquid trunk line.

Embodiment 8. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 6-7, where each venttrunk line includes a vent emergency shutdown (ESD) valve at therespective vent trunk connection, or between the vent trunk connectionand the vent branch lines.

Embodiment 9. The apparatus of Embodiment 8, where each vent ESD valve:

includes an inlet that is coupled to one of the pneumatic branch lines;

is biased to remain closed in the absence of pneumatic fluid at theinlet being pressurized to a level that exceeds a threshold; and

is configured to, upon pressurization of pneumatic fluid at the inlet toa level that exceeds the threshold, shift to an open state in which theESD valve does not block fluid communication with the vent trunk line.

Embodiment 10. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-9, where each ofthe liquid valves is a manual first liquid valve and, each liquid branchline further includes a remotely actuatable second liquid valve disposedbetween the corresponding manual first liquid valve and the liquid trunkline, and each second liquid valve is configured to be throttled to varyliquid flow through the second liquid valve.

Embodiment 11. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-10, where each ofthe vent valves is a manual first vent valve and, each vent branch linefurther includes a remotely actuatable second vent valve disposedbetween the corresponding first manual vent valve and the vent trunkline to prevent or permit fluid flow through the vent branch line.

Embodiment 12. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-11, furthercomprising:

a drain header supported by the ISO container beneath a floor of the ISOcontainer, the drain header including a drain trunk line and a drainbranch line including a first end in fluid communication with the venttrunk line, a second end in fluid communication with the drain trunkline, and first and second drain valves disposed between the first andsecond ends, the drain trunk line having a drain trunk connection andextending along a majority of the length of the ISO container, the draintrunk connection configured to be coupled to an external drain line.

Embodiment 13. The apparatus of Embodiment 12, further comprising:

a liquid-drain line having a first end in fluid communication with oneof the plurality of liquid branch lines, and a second end in fluidcommunication with the drain branch line at a point between the firstand second drain valves

Embodiment 14. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 12-13, where the ISOcontainer comprises a drain pan beneath the drain header.

Embodiment 15. The apparatus of Embodiment 14, where the floor comprisesa metal grate.

Embodiment 16. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-15, where the ISOcontainer defines an open walkway along a majority of the length, theopen walkway having an unobstructed width of at least 27 inches and anunobstructed height of at least 60 inches.

Embodiment 17. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-16, furthercomprising:

a control panel having a power connection and a communicationconnection, the control panel comprising a controller coupled to andconfigured to actuate the vent valves and the liquid valves, thecontroller configured to receive instructions via the communicationconnection to actuate the vent valves and the liquid valves.

Embodiment 18. The apparatus of Embodiment 17, further comprising:

a plurality of sensor lines for each liquid branch line, the pluralityof sensor lines each having a first end coupled to the controller of thecontrol panel, and a second end configured to be coupled to a sensor ofa tank to which the corresponding liquid branch line is connected;

where the controller is configured to receive signals from the sensorsof the tank and to transmit signals indicative of the signals via thecommunication connection of the control panel.

Embodiment 19. The apparatus of Embodiment 18, where each plurality ofsensor lines comprise:

a first pair of sensor lines configured to be coupled to a firstdifferential pair of pressure sensors on the tank; and

a second pair of sensor lines configured to be coupled to a seconddifferential pair of pressure sensors on the tank.

Embodiment 20. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-19, where the ISOcontainer has a weight, and the ISO container is configured to supportat least two times its own weight.

Embodiment 21. The apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-20, furthercomprising:

a crossover system comprising:

a first crossover line having a first end in fluid communication withthe vent header and a second end in fluid communication with the drainheader;

a second crossover line having a first end in fluid communication withthe liquid header and a second end in fluid communication with the firstcrossover line at a first point between the first and second ends of thefirst crossover line; a first crossover valve disposed between the ventheader and the first point, the first crossover valve configured topermit or prevent flow through the crossover line between the ventheader and the first point; and a second crossover valve disposedbetween the first point and the drain header, the second crossover valveconfigured to permit or prevent flow through the crossover line betweenthe first point and the drain header;

-   -   where the crossover system is configured to permit both of the        first and second crossover valves to be opened to circulate        fluid simultaneously through the liquid header and the vent        header.

Embodiment 22. A system comprising:

a modular, LNG manifold apparatus of any of Embodiments 1-21; and

a plurality of first ISO tank containers configured to store liquidnatural gas (LNG), each first ISO tank container having a bottom, a top,first and second ends each having a common width that is a nominal 8feet, each first ISO tank container comprising a liquid connection and asafety vent connection, where the first end is configured to permitaccess to the liquid connection and the vent connection of the first ISOtank container;

-   -   where the first ISO tank containers are arranged side to side        with each of their first ends facing the first side of the        modular, LNG manifold apparatus; and where, for each of the        first ISO tank container, the liquid connection is coupled in        fluid communication to a respective one of the first liquid        branch connections, and the vent connection is coupled in fluid        communication to a respective one of the first vent connections.

Embodiment 23. The system of Embodiment 22, where the modular, LNGmanifold apparatus is an apparatus of any of Embodiment 2, orEmbodiments 4-20 as depending from claim 2, and the system furthercomprises:

a plurality of second ISO tank containers configured to store liquidnatural gas (LNG), each second ISO tank container having a bottom, atop, first and second ends each having a common width that is a nominal8 feet, each second ISO tank container comprising a liquid connectionand a safety vent connection, where the first end is configured topermit access to the liquid connection and the vent connection of thesecond ISO tank container;

-   -   where the second ISO tank containers are arranged side to side        with each of their first ends facing the second side of the        modular, LNG manifold apparatus; and where, for each of the        second ISO tank containers, the liquid connection is coupled in        fluid communication to a respective one of the first liquid        branch connections, and the vent connection is coupled in fluid        communication to a respective one of the first vent connections.

Embodiment 24. The system of Embodiment 22, where the modular, LNGmanifold apparatus is an apparatus of any of Embodiment 3, orEmbodiments 4-20 as depending from claim 3, and the system furthercomprises:

a plurality of second ISO tank containers configured to store liquidnatural gas (LNG), each second ISO tank container having a bottom, atop, first and second ends each having a common width that is a nominal8 feet, each second ISO tank container comprising a liquid connectionand a safety vent connection, where the first end is configured topermit access to the liquid connection and the vent connection of thesecond ISO tank container;

-   -   where the second ISO tank containers are arranged side to side        with each of their first ends facing the second side of the        modular, LNG manifold apparatus; and where, for each of the        second ISO tank containers, the liquid connection is coupled in        fluid communication to a respective one of the second liquid        branch connections, and the vent connection is coupled in fluid        communication to a respective one of the second vent        connections.

Embodiment 24. The system of any of Embodiments 22-24, where themodular, LNG manifold apparatus is an apparatus of any of Embodiments17-19, or Embodiments 20-21 as depending from Embodiment 17, where eachplurality of sensor lines is coupled to a plurality of a sensors of acorresponding tank.

1. A modular, liquid natural gas (LNG) manifold apparatus comprising: anISO container having a bottom, a top, first and second ends each havinga common width, and first and second sides each having a common lengththat is greater than the width and that is a nominal multiple of 8 feetsuch that the length includes a plurality of sections each having anominal section length of 8 feet; a liquid header supported by the ISOcontainer, the liquid header including a first liquid trunk line with aliquid trunk connection and a plurality of first liquid branch lines,each first liquid branch line including a liquid branch connection and aliquid valve configured to selectively permit or prevent fluidcommunication between the liquid branch connection and the liquid trunkline, the liquid trunk connection configured to be coupled to anexternal LNG source to deliver LNG to the liquid branch lines; a safetyvent header supported by the ISO container, the safety vent headerincluding a vent trunk line with a vent trunk connection and a pluralityof first vent branch lines in fluid communication with the vent trunkline, each first vent branch line including a vent branch connection anda vent valve configured to selectively permit or prevent fluidcommunication between the vent branch connection and the vent trunkline, the vent trunk connection configured to be coupled to an externalvent line to deliver vapor from the vent branch lines to the externalvent line; where, for each nominal 8 feet of the length, the first sideis configured to permit access to the liquid branch connection of one ofthe first liquid lines and the vent branch connection of one of thefirst vent lines.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, where for each sequentialnominal 8 feet of the length, the second side is configured to permitaccess to the liquid branch connection of one of first liquid lines andthe vent branch connection of one of the first vent lines.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, where: the liquid header further includes a secondliquid trunk line and a plurality of second liquid branch lines, eachsecond liquid branch line including a liquid branch connection and aliquid valve configured to selectively permit or prevent fluidcommunication between the liquid branch connection and the liquid trunkline; the safety vent header further includes a plurality of second ventbranch lines, each second vent branch line including a vent branchconnection and a liquid valve configured to selectively permit orprevent fluid communication between the vent branch connection and theliquid trunk line; and where, for each nominal 8 feet of the length, thesecond side is configured to permit access to the liquid branchconnection of one of the second liquid lines and the vent branchconnection of one of the second vent lines.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,where each liquid trunk line includes a liquid emergency shutdown (ESD)valve at the respective liquid trunk connection, or between the liquidtrunk connection and the liquid branch lines.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, further comprising: a pneumatic header supported by the ISOcontainer, the pneumatic header including a pneumatic connection and aplurality of pneumatic branch lines.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, whereeach liquid ESD valve: includes an inlet that is coupled to one of thepneumatic branch lines; is biased to remain closed in the absence ofpneumatic fluid at the inlet being pressurized to a level that exceeds athreshold; and is configured to, upon pressurization of pneumatic fluidat the inlet to a level that exceeds the threshold, shift to an openstate in which the valve does not block fluid communication with theliquid trunk line.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, where each vent trunkline includes a vent emergency shutdown (ESD) valve at the respectivevent trunk connection, or between the vent trunk connection and the ventbranch lines.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, where each vent ESD valve:includes an inlet that is coupled to one of the pneumatic branch lines;is biased to remain closed in the absence of pneumatic fluid at theinlet being pressurized to a level that exceeds a threshold; and isconfigured to, upon pressurization of pneumatic fluid at the inlet to alevel that exceeds the threshold, shift to an open state in which theESD valve does not block fluid communication with the vent trunk line.9. The apparatus of claim 4, where each of the liquid valves is a manualfirst liquid valve and, each liquid branch line further includes aremotely actuatable second liquid valve disposed between thecorresponding manual first liquid valve and the liquid trunk line, andeach second liquid valve is configured to be throttled to vary liquidflow through the second liquid valve.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,where each of the vent valves is a manual first vent valve and, eachvent branch line further includes a remotely actuatable second ventvalve disposed between the corresponding first manual vent valve and thevent trunk line to prevent or permit fluid flow through the vent branchline.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a drain headersupported by the ISO container beneath a floor of the ISO container, thedrain header including a drain trunk line and a drain branch lineincluding a first end in fluid communication with the vent trunk line, asecond end in fluid communication with the drain trunk line, and firstand second drain valves disposed between the first and second ends, thedrain trunk line having a drain trunk connection and extending along amajority of the length of the ISO container, the drain trunk connectionconfigured to be coupled to an external drain line.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, further comprising: a liquid-drain line having a first end influid communication with one of the plurality of liquid branch lines,and a second end in fluid communication with the drain branch line at apoint between the first and second drain valves
 13. The apparatus of anyof claim 12, where the ISO container comprises a drain pan beneath thedrain header.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, where the floor comprises ametal grate.
 15. The apparatus of claim 4, where the ISO containerdefines an open walkway along a majority of the length, the open walkwayhaving an unobstructed width of at least 27 inches and an unobstructedheight of at least 60 inches.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a control panel having a power connection and acommunication connection, the control panel comprising a controllercoupled to and configured to actuate the vent valves and the liquidvalves, the controller configured to receive instructions via thecommunication connection to actuate the vent valves and the liquidvalves.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a pluralityof sensor lines for each liquid branch line, the plurality of sensorlines each having a first end coupled to the controller of the controlpanel, and a second end configured to be coupled to a sensor of a tankto which the corresponding liquid branch line is connected; where thecontroller is configured to receive signals from the sensors of the tankand to transmit signals indicative of the signals via the communicationconnection of the control panel.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, whereeach plurality of sensor lines comprise: a first pair of sensor linesconfigured to be coupled to a first differential pair of pressuresensors on the tank; and a second pair of sensor lines configured to becoupled to a second differential pair of pressure sensors on the tank.19. The apparatus of any of claim 1, where the ISO container has aweight, and the ISO container is configured to support at least twotimes its own weight.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a crossover system comprising: a first crossover line having a first endin fluid communication with the vent header and a second end in fluidcommunication with the drain header; a second crossover line having afirst end in fluid communication with the liquid header and a second endin fluid communication with the first crossover line at a first pointbetween the first and second ends of the first crossover line; a firstcrossover valve disposed between the vent header and the first point,the first crossover valve configured to permit or prevent flow throughthe crossover line between the vent header and the first point; and asecond crossover valve disposed between the first point and the drainheader, the second crossover valve configured to permit or prevent flowthrough the crossover line between the first point and the drain header;where the crossover system is configured to permit both of the first andsecond crossover valves to be opened to circulate fluid simultaneouslythrough the liquid header and the vent header.
 21. A system comprising:a modular, LNG manifold apparatus of claim 1-20; a plurality of firstISO tank containers configured to store liquid natural gas (LNG), eachfirst ISO tank container having a bottom, a top, first and second endseach having a common width that is a nominal 8 feet, each first ISO tankcontainer comprising a liquid connection and a safety vent connection,where the first end is configured to permit access to the liquidconnection and the vent connection of the first ISO tank container;where the first ISO tank containers are arranged side to side with eachof their first ends facing the first side of the modular, LNG manifoldapparatus; and where, for each of the first ISO tank container, theliquid connection is coupled in fluid communication to a respective oneof the first liquid branch connections, and the vent connection iscoupled in fluid communication to a respective one of the first ventconnections.
 22. The system of claim 21, where: for each sequentialnominal 8 feet of the length, the second side is configured to permitaccess to the liquid branch connection of one of first liquid lines andthe vent branch connection of one of the first vent lines; and thesystem further comprises: a plurality of second ISO tank containersconfigured to store liquid natural gas (LNG), each second ISO tankcontainer having a bottom, a top, first and second ends each having acommon width that is a nominal 8 feet, each second ISO tank containercomprising a liquid connection and a safety vent connection, where thefirst end is configured to permit access to the liquid connection andthe vent connection of the second ISO tank container; where the secondISO tank containers are arranged side to side with each of their firstends facing the second side of the modular, LNG manifold apparatus; andwhere, for each of the second ISO tank containers, the liquid connectionis coupled in fluid communication to a respective one of the firstliquid branch connections, and the vent connection is coupled in fluidcommunication to a respective one of the first vent connections.
 23. Thesystem of claim 21, where: the liquid header of the modular, LNGmanifold apparatus further includes a second liquid trunk line and aplurality of second liquid branch lines, each second liquid branch lineincluding a liquid branch connection and a liquid valve configured toselectively permit or prevent fluid communication between the liquidbranch connection and the liquid trunk line; the safety vent header ofthe modular, LNG manifold apparatus further includes a plurality ofsecond vent branch lines, each second vent branch line including a ventbranch connection and a liquid valve configured to selectively permit orprevent fluid communication between the vent branch connection and theliquid trunk line; and for each nominal 8 feet of the length, the secondside is configured to permit access to the liquid branch connection ofone of the second liquid lines and the vent branch connection of one ofthe second vent lines; and the system further comprises: a plurality ofsecond ISO tank containers configured to store liquid natural gas (LNG),each second ISO tank container having a bottom, a top, first and secondends each having a common width that is a nominal 8 feet, each secondISO tank container comprising a liquid connection and a safety ventconnection, where the first end is configured to permit access to theliquid connection and the vent connection of the second ISO tankcontainer; where the second ISO tank containers are arranged side toside with each of their first ends facing the second side of themodular, LNG manifold apparatus; and where, for each of the second ISOtank containers, the liquid connection is coupled in fluid communicationto a respective one of the second liquid branch connections, and thevent connection is coupled in fluid communication to a respective one ofthe second vent connections.